Side Dump Bucket

[snowbound]

Anyone know if you can put a side dump bucket on a tractor loader? I would like to know if this one:

Attachments International Specialty Attachements

or one like it can be used with my TC-35D and 16LA. The loader is already fitted for skid-steer attachments. I expect I'd have to add another hydraulic control but that should be possible.

 

[Deerlope]

I don't see why not. we can usually put on them what ever we can think of. I looked at their site and they do have some neat equip. Happy holidays.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Snowbound,
You should be OK with that side-dump bucket. However, find out how much it weighs. I would expect it to be in the 700-800 lbs. range since it looks to be designed for skid steer loaders.
Since you have a capable loader with the 16LA, it should handle the extra weight. But, you will notice the extra 500 lbs. hanging out there. How much does it cost? I would expect it to be at least $3K.

 

[MikePA]

The only thing that would concern me about a side dump bucket is how it would affect the stability of our lighter weight CUTs. As the bucket is rising, but before the material starts to slide out, the center of gravity is starts to shift to one side. With a standard FEL, you only have to worry about the rear of the tractor getting light. With a side dump bucket, it'll be the opposite side. The picture of the skid steer dumping snow is what made me think of this. All that weight, that high in the air and the bucket tipping to one side. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just curious, how do you want to use the side dump bucket that a standard FEL dumping capability wouldn't suffice?

 

[johnday]

Just what I'm thinking too. I would be VERY careful with this on a small tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[snowbound]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The only thing that would concern me about a side dump bucket is how it would affect the stability of our lighter weight CUTs.)</font>

I assume that's a problem that can be solved with weights. Plus, snow is relatively light.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just curious, how do you want to use the side dump bucket that a standard FEL dumping capability wouldn't suffice?)</font>

The loader bucket _suffices_, but there are places where it's really hard to turn around on the driveway, and where it's not possible to maneuver off the driveway. It's a combination of old stone walls and three different narrow "Y" intersections in my driveway.

So when I saw the side dump bucket on the web I thought that would be exactly what could eliminate a bunch of driving back and forth. Now the TC-35D drives extremely nicely compared to the bad old tractors I grew up with, so I'm not complaining. But if we're about the right tool for the job, that one looks right to me at the moment.

 

[snowbound]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How much does it cost? I would expect it to be at least $3K.)</font>

I don't know. I haven't found anywhere that sells them. Plus, you never know whether someone has one used somewhere.

Then there will be the cost of adding the additional hydraulic control, since I assume it's three-way control for the side dump bucket.

But it is likely less than the cost of getting a miniature highly maneuverable loader which seems the alternative.

 

[theonlybull]

might be cheaper to have a snowblower strapped on the 3pt.

 

[snowbound]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( might be cheaper to have a snowblower strapped on the 3pt. )</font>

It might be cheaper but we ruled out snowblowers because of the amount of heavy gravel involved - either the blower might choke on them a lot, or it might throw one (and there is enough glass to worry about - aside from picture windows, all the doors on the house are glass, there is a greenhouse). I'm no fan of replacing shear bolts all the time either. Given some of the corners I'd need to get the blower in, I'm not sure rear mounted would be that easy to handle.

Then there is the part about how a rear implement will cost me maneuverability that I already need.

If I do anything, the side dump seems to be the tractor implement that would make things easier. If a tractor implement is not the sensible approach I would probably think about an itty-bitty loader.

 

[snowbound]

I spoke to the Attachments International folks today. These buckets come in a whole range of sizes 54" - 84" and the weights range up to 650# for the 84" bucket. They are expensive, though. Not quite as expensive as an 84" snowblower, though. (Just for comparison - I'm not considering a snowblower).

They say they like to have about 10gpm hydraulic flow and sometimes they have to use a restrictor (one or more are provided with the bucket) because otherwise the buckets dump too fast.

I'm thinking seriously about it.